UNIZIK lecturer sues ASUU, alleges election malpractice

A lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Dr Chris Abakare,
has sued the Academic Staff Union of Universities, UNIZIK chapter
for alleged election malpractice.

He dragged the union before an Anambra State High Court sitting
in Awka, presided over by Justice C.A. Emembolu.

Justice Emembolu, however transferred the matter to another
court for hearing, owing to his imminent retirement.

Abakare, a chairmanship aspirant in the July 11, 2018 ASUU-NAU
elections, in Suit No. A/295/2018, filed by his lawyer, O.M.
Madukaife, contended that he was unjustly disqualified from
contesting the election and prayed the court to set aside the
exercise.

The defendants in the suit are Prof. Okey Agu, Dr Okechukwu
Nwafor, Prof. Dennis Aribodor (immediate past chairman), Dr Kinsley
Ubaoji and Dr Stephen Ufoaroh (current branch chairman)

The plaintiff said Ufoaroh, who was declared winner in the
election, should be restrained from parading himself as
chairman.

He said he met all the requirements to participate in the
election, but was wrongfully disqualified based on what he called
election malpractice resulting from ‘proposed’ guideline introduced
after the process of election had begun.

Abakare said his disqualification was rescinded through a memo
dated June 28, 2018, signed by the chairman and secretary of the
electoral committee, Prof Okey Ogu and Dr Okechukwu Nwafor,
respectively, after he protested.

He said, “I was surprisingly disqualified again in a document
signed on June 29, 2018 and signed by the chairman of the committee
alone.”

He urged the court to do a community reading of the Nigerian
Constitution, ASUU-NAU election guidelines and determine whether
his disqualification and subsequent conduct of the election were
not illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

His originating summons read in part “A declaration that his
declaration by the 1st and 2nd defendants contrary to the
provisions of ASUU constitution and supplementary rules on branch
elections is illegal, unconstitutional and of no effect.

“An order setting aside the purported election of ASUU-NAU held
on July 11, 2018 in relation to the office of the chairperson and
restraining the 5th defendant from parading himself pending the
conduct of fresh election for the office of chairperson.

“An order mandating the 1st and 2nd defendants to conduct fresh
election for ASUU-NAU in accordance with its constitution and code
of practice and supplementary rules.”